QBS director Troy Jury said: “He has worked for us for two years, is a foreman for us, trains young Kiwi builders for us, we have clients who have specifically asked for him as project manager and builder so we lose out too.

“Mainly, he’s a really nice guy outside his role on TV. He’s a genuinely nice person and, at the end of the day, we have got a housing crisis and there’s a shortage of trained builders.”

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said Martin was approved for a one-year visa last year to work as a carpenter.

According to INZ, he submitted a new application for a work visa this year but the application was declined as his employer did not advertise the role to establish if there were any New Zealanders available to do the job.

INZ area manager Michael Carley said: “Now that his application has been declined Mr Laidlaw is unlawfully in New Zealand and is encouraged to settle his affairs here and leave the country.”

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